Mitt Romney believes he is heading to the White House - and that polls showing anything different are just plain wrong.

The Republican candidate's advisers have been briefing that no one should believe pollsters' numbers showing Barack Obama is edging towards a second term.

Team Romney says they are not in denial - they believe they still have the momentum in this campaign and that tomorrow night will provide a result to shock the world.

The national opinion polls have shown the race as a dead heat for months but with Mr Obama holding a small but crucial lead in swing states.

But Republican strategists are banking on some of those who say they will vote for Mr Obama having a change of heart at that moment of truth in the polling station.

Image Caption:Mitt Romney addresses his supporters in Colorado

Mr Romney has consistently claimed to be the candidate that Americans can trust to fix the economy. He has so far failed to convince Americans that he can be trusted as commander in chief.

In recent weeks he has shifted sharply to the political centre, highlighting his record as governor of Democratic-leaning Massachusetts, in an attempt to court the handful of undecided women and moderate voters.

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His new campaign speech promised: "I won't just represent one party, I'll represent one nation."

It is a tactic that seems to have worked - women voters have warmed to Mr Romney in the last month - but he needs more than that to seal the deal.

His campaign has made a mischievous late play for votes in Pennsylvania, a reliably Democrat-supporting state which had not appeared to be up for grabs. He has spent millions on television campaign ads there in recent weeks.

His supporters say it is a sign that the race is moving their way, Democrats say it is a desperate 'Hail Mary' from a team that knows it cannot win.

The crowds Mr Romney has attracted in recent days - 20,000 at one Ohio rally - do suggest that this is not a contest that has some way to run.

"You saw the differences when President Obama and I were side to side in our debates," Mr Romney says in a new TV advert released on Sunday.

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"He says it has to be this way. I say it can't stay this way. He's offering excuses. I've got a plan. I can't wait for us to get started."

Mr Romney's advisers admit Mr Obama has the lead among early voters but not nearly by the margin he had in 2008 - that, they say, shows Mr Romney has the upper hand this time around.

It is evident that Americans are taking a long, hard look at Mr Romney and that, whoever wins this election will hardly have a ringing endorsement from the country.